New York neighborhoods – The most dangerous and which ones to stay in

Why this article on dangerous neighborhoods in New York? Well, simply to know where to choose your hotel, where the dangerous neighborhoods are located, where to feel the real living city, where to walk peacefully.

I did a little study of the different neighborhoods of New York to understand and locate the places in advance. This way, I can find my way around better and choose my hotel in the best area in New York.

Here is a guide for anyone wondering which neighborhoods to avoid in New York, which are the dangerous areas and the best neighborhoods to stay in.

Is New York a dangerous city?

New York is not a dangerous city. It has always had a bad reputation in terms of security, but you should know that for 20 years, the level of crime in the city has continued to drop. You can check it on the official NYPD website: nyc.gov.

In 2024, New York can be considered a relatively safe city among the average American cities. Indeed, according to the Numbeo ranking, New York would be the 33rd most crime-ridden city in North America out of the 60 cities ranked.

See map of the most criminal cities in North America published on the Numbeo.com site:

In comparison, New York is less dangerous than other American cities like Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles ou San Francisco.

With a fairly low index which indicates a fairly moderate level of crime, we can consider that New York is not a dangerous city. Moreover, its violent crime rate is decreasing even though crimes such as car thefts and burglaries are increasing. See article from newsweek.com.

Is New York Safe for Tourists?

Without being a city as dangerous as Mexico City ou Rio de Janeiro, tourists who visit New York are not at risk of being victims of violent crime.

But, as in all big cities, petty crime is present on tourist sites which attract visitors (pickpockets, scams and snatchings).

On the other hand, the level of insecurity in New York displays large geographic disparities. Wikipedia states that Manhattan and Staten Island have crime rate lower than those of Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. This is why it is better to find out about the neighborhoods to avoid (see list below) when choosing your accommodation or for walking there at night.

Main boroughs of New York

I will schematize by saying that the city of New York is organized into 5 large neighborhoods: Manhattan, Brooklyn, queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.

These 5 Boroughs are themselves made up of several neighborhoods, the most dangerous of which I will tell you.

New York City Map

Here is a Google Map to locate the dangerous neighborhoods of New York (listed below) but also the best neighborhoods in Manhattan: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C6UTza8sLuQbzyTa8

Neighborhoods to avoid in New York

Without detailing all the neighborhoods of the 5 New York boroughs, I present below only the 5 most dangerous neighborhoods in New York:

• Brownsville
• Mott haven
• Hunts point
• Bedford-stuyvesant
• East Harlem

Find out where these neighborhoods are located below:

Brownsville in Brooklyn – New York's most dangerous neighborhood

Brownsville is a northern Brooklyn ghetto considered to be the most dangerous place in New York. See its location

The level of violence (drugs, theft, shootings) is at its highest. See the DNAinfos.com report on crime in Brownsville.

Mott Haven in the Bronx – Dangerous neighborhoods New York

This is another area known to be among the most dangerous in New York. Also located in the Bronx, it is an area not recommended for tourists seeking peace and security. See its location

Hunts Point in the Bronx – Violent neighborhood of New York

A decade ago, Hunts Point was one of the most dangerous areas in the Bronx. See its location

Today, it is a very poor neighborhood where drugs and violence are still present. Hunts Point is therefore also an area to avoid for tourists.

Bedford-Stuyvesant to Brooklyn still dangerous

Bedford-Stuyvesant or Bed-Sty is a historically crime-ridden neighborhood in Brooklyn. See its location

In the 60s, it was the largest and most violent ghetto in the United States. Fortunately, his level of insecurity has gone down a lot. But this neighborhood is still considered dangerous, especially around Myrtle Avenue.

East Harlem in Manhattan unsafe at night

East Harlem is a lively neighborhood in Manhattan also called El Barrio or Spanish Harlem. See its location

With a cosmopolitan, predominantly Latino population, it is a friendly neighborhood, particularly for its good restaurants. However, it can be less safe at night because its level of crime remains quite high (see the report byAreavibes.com).

In which neighborhood to stay in New York?

There are many areas of New York that are of tourist interest and are worth a visit. You can't define the best neighborhood in New York because it's a matter of taste. However, I can tell you the favorite areas of tourists and they are undoubtedly all located Manhattan !

So, the most practical for visit New York on foot will be staying in the heart of Manhattan. But for those who are going to spend a long stay in New York, staying in Manhattan risk to cost them dearly.

I recommend that they look for accommodation in Brooklyn which is also a convenient area for sightseeing. See my detailed article: Brooklyn neighborhood

Best neighborhoods in Manhattan

Manhattan is known around the world as the heart of New York. It is the most touristy place.

Moreover, to find the programs of interesting events for tourists in New York and reserve your show tickets, here is a useful link: www.hellotickets.fr

In terms of security, Manhattan is heavily impacted by petty crime but remains one of the safest places in New York. Apart from East Harlem and Upper Manhattan located in the very north of Manhattan, the other neighborhoods are safe to choose accommodation there.

Now let's see which are the best neighborhoods to stay in Manhattan: Upper Manhattan, Upper West Side, Lower East Side, TriBeCa, SoHo, China Town, Greenwich Village, East Village?

I devoted an entire article to the Manhattan neighborhood to fully understand this place and its small neighborhoods. I invite you to find out in the article: New York - Manhattan neighborhoods

And if you want to combine a tourist trip with a shopping day, here are my neighborhood tips and tips for shopping in New York.

Where to choose your hotel in Manhattan?

Be aware that Airbnbs are prohibited in New York. I therefore advise you not to take the risk of renting to an individual.

This is a hotel well located in the center of Manhattan, 400 meters from Madison Square Garden, 600 meters from the Empire State Building and very close to Time Square. The little extra: Its rooftop bar on the 18th floor with a view of the Empire State Building!

Another nice hotel in Manhattan? See : Which hotel to choose in Manhattan? ou Cheap hotels New York my 3 tips